First identification and whole genome characterization of rotavirus C in pigs in Zambia.

Rotavirus C (RVC) causes acute gastroenteritis in neonatal piglets. Despite the clinical importance of RVC infection, the distribution and prevalence in pig populations in most African countries remains unknown. In this study, we identified RVC in Zambian pigs by metagenomic analysis.

A first report of rotavirus B from Zambian pigs leading to the discovery of a novel VP4 genotype P[9].

Background: Rotavirus B (RVB) causes diarrhea in humans and pigs. Although various RVB strains were identified in humans and various animals globally, little is known about the epidemiology RVB infection in Africa. In this study, we attempted to examine the prevalence of RVB infection in pig populations in Zambia.

Structural Requirements in the Hemagglutinin Cleavage Site-Coding RNA Region for the Generation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) with H5 and H7 hemagglutinin (HA) subtypes are derived from their low pathogenic counterparts following the acquisition of multiple basic amino acids in their HA cleavage site. It has been suggested that consecutive adenine residues and a stem-loop structure in the viral RNA region that encodes the cleavage site are essential for the acquisition of the polybasic cleavage site. By using a reporter assay to detect non-templated nucleotide insertions, we found that insertions more frequently occurred in the RNA region (29 nucleotide-length) encoding the cleavage site of an H5 HA gene that was predicted to have a stem-loop structure containing consecutive adenines than in a mutated corresponding RNA region that had a disrupted loop structure with fewer adenines.

Evidence of in Wild and Domestic Animals in the Kafue Ecosystem of Zambia.

Members of the genus are arthropod-borne spirochetes that are human and animal pathogens. Vertebrate hosts, including wild animals, are pivotal to the circulation and maintenance of spirochetes. However, information on spirochetes in vertebrate hosts in Zambia is limited.

Consensus and variations in cell line specificity among human metapneumovirus strains.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been a notable etiological agent of acute respiratory infection in humans, but it was not discovered until 2001, because HMPV replicates only in a limited number of cell lines and the cytopathic effect (CPE) is often mild. To promote the study of HMPV, several groups have generated green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing recombinant HMPV strains (HMPVGFP). However, the growing evidence has complicated the understanding of cell line specificity of HMPV, because it seems to vary notably among HMPV strains.

Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b strains replicate in monocytes/macrophages more than the other serotypes.

We analyzed the pathogenicity of various serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes using a Balb/c mouse intravenous injection model. The survival rates of mice inoculated with strains NS1/2b (serotype 1/2b), NS3b (serotype 3b) and NS 4b (serotype 4b) were 60, 63.6 and 63.

The full genome sequences of 8 equine herpesvirus type 4 isolates from horses in Japan.

Equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) is one of the most important pathogens in horses. To clarify the key genes of the EHV-4 genome that cause abortion in female horses, we determined the whole genome sequences of a laboratory strain and 7 Japanese EHV-4 isolates that were isolated from 2 aborted fetuses and nasal swabs of 5 horses with respiratory disease. The full genome sequences and predicted amino acid sequences of each gene of these isolates were compared with of the reference EHV-4 strain NS80567 and Australian isolates that were reported in 2015.

The effects of administering lactic acid bacteria sealed in a capsule on the intestinal bacterial flora of cattle.

We examined the effects of encapsulated lactic acid bacteria administrated orally to lactating cattle on the intestinal flora. A dose of 3 X 10¹¹ colony forming unit (cfu) of freeze-dried Lactobacillus coryniformis subsp. torquens (JCM1099) encapsulated in an enteric capsule capable of bypassing the rumen was administered for seven days.

Molecular epidemiology of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in the straw-colored fruit bat (Eidolon helvum) migrating to Zambia from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The role played by bats as a potential source of transmission of Leptospira spp. to humans is poorly understood, despite various pathogenic Leptospira spp. being identified in these mammals.

Microbial population analysis of the salivary glands of ticks; a possible strategy for the surveillance of bacterial pathogens.

Ticks are one of the most important blood-sucking vectors for infectious microorganisms in humans and animals. When feeding they inject saliva, containing microbes, into the host to facilitate the uptake of blood. An understanding of the microbial populations within their salivary glands would provide a valuable insight when evaluating the vectorial capacity of ticks.

De novo sequence analysis of cytochrome P450 1-3 genes expressed in ostrich liver with highest expression of CYP2G19.

The cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1-3 families are involved in xenobiotic metabolism, and are expressed primarily in the liver. Ostriches (Struthio camelus) are members of Palaeognathae with the earliest divergence from other bird lineages. An understanding of genes coding for ostrich xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme contributes to knowledge regarding the xenobiotic metabolisms of other Palaeognathae birds.

Molecular surveillance and phylogenetic analysis of Old World arenaviruses in Zambia.

In order to survey arenaviruses in the Republic of Zambia, we captured 335 rodents from three cities between 2010 and 2011. Eighteen Luna virus (LUNV) and one lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-related virus RNAs were detected by one-step RT-PCR from Mastomys natalensis and Mus minutoides, respectively. Four LUNV strains and one LCMV-related virus were isolated, and the whole genome nucleotide sequence was determined by pyrosequencing.

Novel arenavirus, Zambia.

To investigate arenavirus in Zambia, we characterized virus from the kidneys of 5 arenavirus RNA-positive rodents (Mastomys natalensis) among 263 captured. Full-genome sequences of the viruses suggested that they were new strains similar to Lassa virus-related arenaviruses. Analyzing samples from additional rodents and other species can elucidate epizootiologic aspects of arenaviruses.

Transport stress increases somatic cell counts in milk, and enhances the migration capacity of peripheral blood neutrophils of dairy cows.

The present study was designed to determine the effects of physiological stress on milk-somatic cell counts (SCC) and function of bovine peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). Nine healthy lactating cows were used in the examination. Five cows were transported 100 km for 4 hr (transported group; TG), and 4 cows were penned (non-transported group; NTG).

Cytokine and inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and related clinical characteristics in Theileria orientalis sergenti-infected calves.

Eight splenectomized calves were inoculated with Theileria orientalis sergenti (Tos)-infected tick gland homogenate (5 calves) or infected erythrocyte suspension (3 calves). Clinical characteristics were different in calves post-infection. Animals were divided into 3 groups on the basis of susceptibility as high, middle, and low.

Increase in apoptotic polymorphonuclear neutrophils in peripheral blood after intramammary infusion of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.

A transient increase in apoptotic polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) as revealed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl, transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique in bovine jugular and milk vein blood was observed 4 h after intramammary infusion of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (jugular vein; before infusion 10.1%, 4h 58.3%: milk vein; before infusion 13.